Input apparatus for people having small hands

ABSTRACT

Input apparatus scaled for non-adult humans and adult humans having small hands. The input apparatus are especially well suited for use as computer keyboards for use by schoolchildren. Also disclosed is a computing system including the input apparatus.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to input apparatus, such as a keyboard,which can be used for computer, typewriter, and other similarapplications. It is particularly useful where the user is a non-adult(child) or an adult with smaller than adult-sized hands. The inputapparatus of the present invention provides fixed keys with a keyspacing, smaller than the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard spacing, whichadvantageously permits children as young as 3 and 4 years old to use theinput apparatus utilizing standard touch typing techniques. Thus, thepresent invention relates to input apparatus and a method for using themand more particularly to a keyboard input device that is scaled to thesize of the hands of non-adults (children) and adults having smallhands.

[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0004] Previous input apparatus such as computer keyboards andtypewriters utilize a specific key spacing and character layout thathave evolved into standards. Character refers to the character generatedby the computer, typewriter or other machine, upon receiving a signalthat a particular key has been depressed or otherwise engaged.

[0005] The original “qwerty” key arrangement is the current acceptedstandard for keyboard character locations. A standard english language“qwerty” keyboard has three rows comprising alphabetic characters andpunctuation marks. The remaining rows include numbers and a space bar. Areturn key, shift keys, a tab key and other command type keys may beincluded at the ends of each row.

[0006] Generally input apparatus such as computer keyboards have thefollowing “qwerty” arrangement with individual rows and columns of keysoffset with respect to one another: {grave over (+0 )} 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 90 − = del tab q w e r t y u i o p [ ] \ cap a s d f g h j k l ; ’ returnshift z x c v b n m , . / shift con opt alt space bar alt opt con

[0007] Holding down the shift key will add the following alphanumericcharacters and punctuation marks: ˜ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) − + del tab Q WE R T Y U I O P { } | cap A S D F G H J K L : ” return shift Z X C V B NM < > ? shift con opt alt space bar alt opt con

[0008] Function keys, arrow keys, and/or a separate numeric keypad maybe added on the top and or side of this layout. In addition, differentcomputer manufacturers may include additional keys for controlling theoperation of their particular computers.

[0009] In addition to the “qwerty” keyboard layout, other letter layoutssuch as the Dvorak keyboard have been developed. As will be recognizedby the those of ordinary skill in the art from the followingdescriptions of the present invention, the present invention maycomprise any character key layout, such as the qwerty character layout,the Dvorak character layout and the like. Moreover, the presentinvention may be utilized with character layouts other than the standardEnglish language characters. Thus, it should be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to a particular arrangement ofcharacters corresponding to each key.

[0010] Keyboard standards as to key size and spacing were published Feb.4, 1988 as American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Human FactorsSociety (HFS) Standard No. 100-1988 (hereinafter the “ANSI/HFS 100-1988standard”). The purpose of this standard is stated as: “This is atechnical standard that specifies conditions that have been establishedas representing acceptable implementation of human factors engineeringprinciples and practices in the design of visual display terminals(VDTs), associated furniture, and the office environment in which theyare placed. Human factors engineering principles and practices arehighly application dependent. This technical standard is written forthose VDT applications described as text processing, data entry, anddata inquiry.”

[0011] The key spacing described in the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard isthat the center line distance between the horizontal keys shall bebetween 18 and 19 mm and the center line distance between the verticalkeys shall be between 18 and 21 mm. Center line distance is described inthe ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard. Vertical center line distance is thedistance between two parallel lines, the first line horizontallybisecting a first key and the second line horizontally bisecting asecond adjacent key above or below the first key. Similarly, horizontalcenter line distance is the distance between two parallel lines, thefirst line vertically bisecting a first key and the second linevertically bisecting a second adjacent key to the left or right side ofthe first key. Horizontal and vertical center line distances may befurther understood in view of the following discussions and withreference to the appended figures.

[0012] Historically in the art the various inventions of input apparatusare based upon the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard which is a result of theevolution of the various input apparatus. It is seen that these variousinput apparatus are attached to various machines such as typewriters andcomputers. Historically the input apparatus were designed for the use byadult humans. The training of an individual in the use of these variousinput apparatus began at the high school level. These high school userswere typically 16 years old or older. At this age their hand lengthsfall in the 5th percentile of an adult male's hands, meaning they arethen suited to using the devices currently provided. The 5th percentileis a size that results from surveying a group of adult males andcalculating the frequency in which various sizes occur. The 5thpercentile is a number that one would expect 5% of adult males toresemble, on the shorter end of the scale. For example, the 5thpercentile of adult males in one study had a hand length of 17.8 cm. The95th percentile in this study had a hand length of 20.5 cm.

[0013] With the advent of the microcomputer there have been anincreasing number of children and other than adult scale humans that usevarious input apparatus. It would be desirable to have an inputapparatus which would accommodate their physical sizes, especially theirhands in relation to the input apparatus. These users currently in someinstances cannot perform routine keystrokes on their input apparatus dueto the size and spacing of the keys. For example, a simple, oftenutilized, command such as control-alternate-delete cannot be easilyperformed by users with small scaled hands using the devices currentlyprovided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantagesand provides input apparatus such as keyboards, that are sized to fitthe smaller than adult-dimensioned hands. This invention fills theergonomic and anthropometric needs of nonadult students by providinginput apparatus scaled to the size of the user's hands.

[0015] Studying the hand lengths of youths aged 4 through 16 andcomparing these lengths with the 50th percentile lengths of an adultmale indicates that at age 4 the children's hands are 61% of the adult,at age six 67.4%, at age eight 74.5% through age sixteen, 93%. Theseranges indicate the needs for input devices of varying size.

[0016] Accordingly, an embodiment of the input apparatus of the presentinvention comprises a plurality of keys, sufficient for providing aplurality of input signals to a central processing unit, with a key sizeand key spacing, centerline to centerline, between 60 and 86% of theANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard key spacing. This percentage range of theANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard results in this embodiment of the inputapparatus of the present invention having a vertical key spacing of 10.8to 18.0 millimeters and a horizontal key spacing of 10.8 to 16.4millimeters. As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in theart, generally key spacing dictates key size since key spacing is basedon centerline distance.

[0017] The input apparatus of the present invention may include aplurality of keys sufficient for generating input signals correspondingto each letter of the alphabet. As will be recognized by those ofordinary skill in the art, the generation of input signals correspondingto each letter of the alphabet may be achieved by using a single key foreach letter, or, if less than 26 keys are desired, by having acombination of keys which generate a particular letter when engagedtogether. The individual rows and columns of keys may be offset in orderto facilitate the ability of the user of the input apparatus to reacheach key. As used herein “offset” refers to the generally utilizedmethod for arranging keys such as disclosed by the ANSI/HFS 100-1988standard.

[0018] Thus, in one embodiment, the input apparatus of the presentinvention comprises at least 26 keys corresponding to the 26 letters ofthe english alphabet. For different language alphabets it may bedesirable to use a greater or smaller number of keys.

[0019] Preferably, the input apparatus of the present invention includesa plurality of keys sufficient for generating input signalscorresponding to each letter of the alphabet, and each arabic numeral.Thus, in a preferable embodiment the input apparatus of the presentinvention comprises at least 36 keys corresponding to the 26 letters ofthe english alphabet and the ten arabic numerals. Additional, keys maybe provided for inputting functions, such as the control and tab keys,found on generally utilized keyboards. Further keys may also be providedfor inputting functions such as “home”, “page up”, “delete”, “end”,“page down”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right” etc. Still further keys,generally referred to in the art as “function keys” may be included togenerate input signals corresponding to particular functions assigned tothe key by the operating system or program utilized by the computerreceiving input signals from the input apparatus. The input apparatusmay also include a key, such as a “shift” key that when depressed incombination with other keys generates uppercase letters or the like. Inthis manner, the total number of keys utilized in the input apparatuscan be minimized if desired.

[0020] More preferably, the input apparatus of the present inventioncomprises at least 58 keys arranged in the standard “qwerty” arrangementdescribed above, and with different functions depending on whether a“shift” key is depressed in combination with another key. This morepreferred arrangement may additionally include a plurality of functionkeys located above or to the side of the alphanumeric keys, and/orfunction keys, arrow keys and a numeric keypad to the side, or above,the alphanumeric keys.

[0021] In one more preferred embodiment, the input apparatus of thepresent invention comprises at least 58 keys arranged in a mannersimilar to the following layout, and with the key spacing describedabove: (the rows and columns would be offset with respect to each otheras described above and as shown in the appended figures) es F F F F F FF F F F F F c 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 {grave over (+0 )} 1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 0 − = de c = / * ta Q W E R T Y U I O P [ ] \ 7 8 9 − ca A S D F GH J K L ; ’ ret 4 5 6 + shift Z X C V B N M , . / shift 1 2 3 en cont alspace bar al cont 0 .

[0022] Additional arrow keys (for input cursor control signals) andfunction keys may be located between the alphabet keys and the numerickeypad. Input apparatus designed for use in environments where alanguage other than English is utilized would have alphanumeric keysappropriate for the desired language.

[0023] As will be recognized by those in the art, it may be desirable toseparate the function keys and/or numeric keypad, from the alphanumericand punctuation keys by including areas on the surface of the inputapparatus that do not contain keys.

[0024] The prior art addresses the application of input apparatus foradults with normal adult male hand sizes in the adult work environment.My invention is the first to suggest a fixed size input apparatusdesigned specifically for children, and others with smaller than adultscale hands, that are currently being accommodated with the existingprior art.

[0025] The ergonomic and anthropometric advantages to my inventionapparently are not obvious to those skilled in the art since the inputapparatus known as a fixed key computer keyboard exists only in thescale intended for useage by adults with normal adult male hand sizes.The same applies to typewriter keyboards and other input apparatus. Theinvention of microcomputers resulted in the introduction of adult sizedinput apparatus to children and users with smaller than normal adultmale hands.

[0026] Touch typing is now being taught in the third grade of elementaryschools. Input apparatus, such as those of the present invention,designed for the scale of these and other non-adult students, and users,are beneficial in allowing the users to be properly accommodated andtherefore increase learning ability and keyboard proficiency. It ispreferred that the input apparatus of the present invention includesufficient keys to enable input signals to be generated corresponding toeach letter of the English language alphabet utilizing standard touchtyping techniques. Thus, the present invention also includes a methodfor teaching touch typing to humans with smaller than normal adult malehands utilizing standard techniques wherein the improvement comprisesutilizing an input apparatus with the horizontal and vertical keyspacing of the present invention.

[0027] In addition to the foregoing advantages, the use of a properlyproportioned keyboard by children, and others with smaller than adultscale hands, will help these users avoid potential repetitive strainproblems that might arise from using an improperly sized inputapparatus.

[0028] The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a computingsystem comprised of a central processing unit, a visual displayterminal, and a keyboard. This system can be comprised of separateelements or all elements within the same enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a view of a fixed key input apparatus.

[0030]FIG. 2 shows an example of a fixed key input apparatus of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Withreference to FIG. 1, the centerline horizontal distance of the keys is20. 20 can be 10.8 mm to 16.4 mm (0.425 inch and 0.646 inch). Preferabledistances are 12.0 mm, 13.5 mm, and 14.5 mm for three different sizesbased upon age and hand length. Other preferable distances are 12.75 mmand 14.15 mm for two different sizes based upon age and hand length.

[0032] The centerline vertical distance of the keys is 22. 22 can be10.8 mm to 18.0 mm (0.425 inch and 0.711 inch). Preferable distances are12.7 mm., 14.3 mm, and 15.6 mm for three different sizes based upon ageand hand length. Other preferable distances are 13.45 mm and 14.9 mm fortwo different sizes based upon age and hand length.

[0033] Spacing for three different sizes is 65%, 73%, and 80% of theaverage spacing size used in the art, generally the ANSI/HFS 100-1988standard. Spacing for two different sizes is 69% and 76.5% of theaverage spacing size used in the art (the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard).

[0034] The width of an individual key surface is 24. 24 can be 7.2 mm to13 mm. Preferable distances are those that correspond to the percentagerange selected for 20 and 22. Thus, preferable key surface widths are7.8 mm, 8.76 mm and 9.6 mm (65%, 73% and 80% of the ANSI/HFS 100-1988standard). Additional preferable key surface widths are 8.28 mm and 9.28mm (69% and 76.5% of the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard).

[0035] The depth of an individual key surface is 26. 26 can be 7.2 mm to15 mm. Preferable distances are those that match the range selected for20 and 22. Thus, preferable key surface depths are 9.3 mm, 10.44 mm and11.44 mm (65%, 73% and 80% of a conventional keyboard). Additionalpreferable key surface depths are 9.87 mm and 10.94 mm (69% and 76.5% ofthe ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard).

[0036] As will be seen in the art, most input apparatus can include keyssized differently than 24 and 26, including function keys, keypad keys,space bars, numeric keypads and the like. In the input apparatus of thepresent invention, such keys, if present, will be ergonomically sizedand spaced in a manner similar to the standard alphanumeric input keys.Thus, function keys, keypad keys, space bars, numeric keypads and thelike would be located at a spacing generally corresponding to 60 to 86%of the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard. Preferably these keys would belocated at a spacing from the alphanumeric keys corresponding to 65%,73% and 80% of the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard. Additional preferablespacing would locate these keys at a spacing from the alphanumeric keyscorresponding to 69% and 76.5% of the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard.

[0037] As will be recognized by those of skill in the art, other keyspacing and key sizes within the ranges and other keyboardconfigurations fall within the scope of the present invention. As willbe obvious to those skilled in the art the present invention may beapplied to typewriters and input apparatus other than those designed foruse with a computer.

[0038] The keyboard may be produced by any technology known to the artsuch as the technology disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,834, 5,122,786,4,669,903 and 4,661,005, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference, and other conventional technologies known tothose skilled in the art. As will be obvious to those skilled in the artthe present invention may be constructed as a keyboard comprised of theindividual keys connecting to an electric or electronic matrix with asource of current allowing inputting electrical signals to a computer orother device.

[0039] The ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard regarding other aspects of thekeyboard, such as key force, keying feedback and keystroke l travel maybe utilized. For example, the conventional keystroke travel set forth inthe ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard, i.e 1.5-6 mm, preferably 2-4 mm. Thiskeystroke travel distance can be used but it is preferred that the same60% to 86% reduction used for key spacing also be used for keystroketravel. Thus the preferred keystroke travel distance for the inputapparatus of the present invention is 41.2-3.44 mm.- With differentinput apparatus sizes available the user can progress from small tolarger with growth.

[0040] While the above description contains many specificities, thereader should not, construe these as limitation on the scope of theinvention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodimentsthereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possiblevariations within its scope. For example, skilled artisans havedeveloped other keyboard types to address ergonomic needs of keyboardusers by dividing the keyboard in half, changing the angle of the keys,etc. This invention is equally applicable to other adult-sized inputapparatus in the art.

[0041] An embodiment of the input apparatus of the present invention isdescribed in the following example:

EXAMPLE

[0042] A keyboard with the keys arranged in the manner known in the artas the “qwerty” key arrangement embodying in addition a row of 12function keys arrayed horizontally directly above the horizontal numerickeys, a “10-key” keypad located to the right of the “qwerty” layout,cursor control keys, and various other keys as used in the art of acomputer keyboard, the size and space of which is 73% of the keyboarddescribed in the ANSI/HFS 100-1988 standard. The overall footprint ofthe keyboard is 36 cm wide by 15 cm in depth. The horizonal centerlinekey spacing, 20, is 13.5 mm. The vertical centerline key spacing, 22, is14.235 mm. The key tops are, 24, 9 mm wide and, 26, 10 mm deep. Theother keys are similarly scaled. The keyboard utilizes present art toprovide a current response to the depression of each key or acombination of keys that is utilized by a central processing unit of amicrocomputer, allowing the computer to display the information on avisual display unit.

1. Fixed key input apparatus comprising a plurality of keys to generateinput signals corresponding to each letter of the alphabet wherein thekeys are arranged with a horizontal key spacing, centerline tocenterline, of 10.8 to 16.4 millimeters and a vertical key spacing,centerline to centerline of 10.8 to 18.0 millimeters.
 2. The inputapparatus of claim 1 wherein the alphabet is English and the inputapparatus comprises at least 26 keys.
 3. The input apparatus of claim 1or 2 further comprising keys to generate input signals corresponding toeach numeral.
 4. The input apparatus of claims 1 to 3 wherein thenumerals are arabic numerals and the input apparatus comprises at least36 keys.
 5. The input apparatus of claims 1 to 4 further comprising keysfor generating signals corresponding to a function to be undertaken. 6.The input apparatus of claims 1 to 5 wherein the function to beundertaken is selected from the group consisting of: shift, return,control, alt, tab, caps lock, home, end, page up, page down, clear,scroll lock and combinations thereof.
 7. The input apparatus of claims 1to 6 wherein the individual key width is 7.2 mm to 13 mm.
 8. The inputapparatus of claims 1 to 7 wherein the individual key depth is 7.2 mm to15 mm.
 9. The input apparatus of claims 1 to 8 wherein the individualkeys are a ranged in a qwerty layout.